JP4015802B2 - Paper processing apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet processing system, and a sheet processing method that perform sheet processing such as binding, punching, and folding on sheets, and relates to a sheet processing apparatus alone or a copier, printer, facsimile, printing machine, and the like. And a sheet processing apparatus that realizes the function by being attached to the sheet output apparatus and integrated with the sheet output apparatus.Image formationSystemToRelated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a paper processing apparatus that performs processing such as binding on a sheet on which an image is recorded by an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, punching for filing, and folding the bound sheet Various proposals have been made in the past. As an example of this, a sheet processing apparatus having a function of performing saddle stitching and center folding of a plurality of sheets as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-279163 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-193162 is known. . In these sheet processing apparatuses, a sheet bundle which is bound at the center of the sheet bundle (saddle stitching) and further folded into two at the center (center folding) is folded on the stacking tray by a discharge roller and a discharge roller. It is configured to discharge.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the sheet post-processing apparatus with a simple bookbinding function that can bind and fold the center of the conventional sheet bundle, the sheet bundle that is bound at the center and further folded into two is stacked and stacked. The sheets are stacked on the tray so that the bound side of the sheet bundle is directed in the sheet conveyance direction, in other words, the sheet bundle is positioned on the side away from the sheet post-processing apparatus main body. When loaded in such a form, the unfolded side of both ends of the sheet swells.
[0004]
On the other hand, the tray is generally raised on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction, so as the number of stacks increases, the volume of the paper bundle that is originally lowered increases, and the paper bundle stacking surface on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction increases. Becomes lower. When a sheet bundle is discharged onto the sheet bundle stacking surface in such a front-lowering state, the sheet bundle falls from the sheet bundle stacking surface and cannot be successfully stacked on the stacking tray. In order to avoid this, it is necessary to limit the loading capacity. If the stacking amount is limited in this way, image formation must be stopped by the number of sheets processed corresponding to the stacking amount, resulting in a reduction in processing efficiency. In addition, since the amount of swelling varies depending on the thickness and number of sheets to be folded in half, or the strength of the waist, even if the stacking amount is limited, it may not be stacked on the tray.
[0005]
Moreover, in the said prior art example, since the tray is arrange | positioned horizontally, the tendency of the said front fall becomes still stronger. Since the stacking amount is naturally reduced, in order to suppress this, a sheet pressing arm is provided which has a fulcrum on the upper side of the paper discharge port and presses the sheet bundle on the free end side. However, in such a sheet pressing arm, the pressing range is limited by the relationship between the arm length and the arm mounting position, and the sheet stacking amount cannot be greatly increased. Further, since the contact with the upper surface of the sheet bundle is close to a point contact or a line contact, the sheet bundle is not fully pressed down, and the sheet bundle is stacked in an expanded state. For this reason, the stacking amount of the sheet bundle is also limited.
[0006]
Further, in the conventional example, the stacking tray for stacking the sheet bundle that is saddle-stitched and folded in half is provided exclusively, and the inclination of the tray is set to exclusive (horizontal) and is fixed. When a dedicated tray is provided in this way, the mechanism of the entire sheet post-processing apparatus becomes complicated, and it cannot be denied that the cost is increased accordingly. In addition, since a space for providing a dedicated tray is required, the entire apparatus becomes large, and the demand for space saving and miniaturization cannot be met.
[0007]
In addition, when a saddle-stitched or folded sheet bundle is ejected to the stacking tray whose downstream side in the sheet discharge direction is inclined upward, the position of the swollen portion differs depending on the size of the sheet bundle, and the swollen portion is the sheet. A stacking state as shown in FIG. 36 is obtained depending on where the bundle is generated. In this state, the stacking state is unstable, and a situation in which the stacking tray is dropped may occur. As a result, the load capacity cannot be increased.
[0008]
  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is as follows.Stacks a larger number of folded paper bundles and enables sharing with normal paper stacks that are not foldedThere is to do.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present inventionOccasionallyAnd a stacking tray for stacking discharged sheets or a bundle of sheets.TheIn paper processing equipment,It is composed of a stacking tray that is inclined so that the downstream side in the transport direction is higher than the upstream side and supported so as to be movable up and down, and a rear end fence on which the edge of the paper discharged on the stacking tray comes into contact,An aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle on the upstream side in the sheet discharge direction of the stacking tray;A pressing member that contacts the upper surface of the paper, and a driving means that causes the pressing member to protrude and retract from the surface of the trailing edge fence where the edge of the paper contacts,A pressing means for pressing the sheet bundle loaded on the stacking tray on the alignment end side;Control means for causing the pressing member to stand by at a standby position inside the rear end fence when the folding process is not performed, and for causing the pressing member to protrude outside the rear end fence by the driving means when performing the folding process;It was set as the structure provided with.
[0014]
  in this case,in frontIn order to align on the folding side of the recording sheet bundle, the folded sheet bundle is discharged with the folding side as a leading end, and a reversing unit is provided to invert the sheet bundle so that the folding side is positioned on the aligning unit side.
[0015]
in frontThe movement of the pressing member is performed linearly. Alternatively, instead of linearly, when protruding, it protrudes at an upward angle with respect to the paper stacking surface of the stacking tray, and when it protrudes to the maximum, it holds an angle downward with respect to the paper stacking surface of the stacking tray. It may be operated as follows. In this case, the operation is reversed when immersed.
[0016]
And a lifting means for raising and lowering the stacking tray, wherein the lifting means raises the stacking tray in a state where the pressing member protrudes on a sheet bundle positioned on the stacking tray, The sheet bundle is pressed between the stacking trays to suppress the swelling of the sheet bundle. Thereby, the bulk when a large number of copies are loaded is reduced, and a larger number of copies can be loaded.
[0017]
At that time, a detecting means for detecting a pressing force for pressing the sheet bundle is provided, and the elevating means stops the raising operation when the detecting means detects that the pressing force is a predetermined value or more. . As a result, the sheet bundle can always be pressed with a constant pressing force. In order to reliably perform this pressing, the angle formed by the pressing member and the rear end fence (on the paper bundle discharge side) is θf, and the angle formed by the stacking tray and the rear end fence (also paper sheet discharge). When the upward movement of the stacking tray by the lifting / lowering means is stopped when θt is set on the side)
θf ≧ θt
The angle between the protruding direction of the pressing member and the stacking surface of the stacking tray is set so that Thereby, even if it swells on the binding side, the sheet bundle does not escape and can be reliably pressed.
[0018]
The detecting means includes, for example, a biasing means that biases a member that supports the pressing member in a direction opposite to the lifting operation of the lifting and lowering means, and a position detection means that detects the position of the supporting member. And detecting whether or not the pressing force is a predetermined value or more from the position of the supporting member detected by the position detecting means.
[0019]
The discharge of the sheet bundle is performed by the sheet discharge unit in a state where the pressing member protrudes, and after the sheet discharge unit discharges the sheet bundle and is stacked on the upper surface of the pressing member, the driving unit Thus, the pressing member is immersed inside the rear end fence. Then, after the pressing member is immersed, the elevating means lowers the stacking tray by a predetermined amount. This predetermined lowering amount is variably set in accordance with the number of sheets bound in the sheet bundle.
[0020]
  Further, as the reversing means, for example, an angle changing means for changing the angle of the stacking tray so that the angle of the stacking tray becomes a steep angle as compared with the case of normal paper discharge not folded in half can be introduced. As an auxiliary tray that rises from the stacking tray with a preset position of the stacking tray as a fulcrum can be used.. SoHere, the amount of protrusion when the pressing member protrudes is changed from the rear end fence (the lower end of the sheet stacking surface of the stacking tray) to the position where the angle of the stacking tray is changed, in other words, to the fulcrum of the auxiliary tray. It is better to set the distance approximately equal to the distance. Note that the amount of protrusion when the pressing member protrudes is set so as to decrease in response to an increase in the number of sheets stacked on the stacking tray.
In addition, it can be variably set according to the number of sheets to be bound.
[0022]
Further, the pressing member is set so that the friction coefficient of the upper surface is set higher than that of the lower surface, and the position of the sheet bundle is not disturbed during the retracting operation. In the same way, a roller set to be rotatable at least when the pressing member protrudes may be provided at the tip of the pressing member.
[0023]
The present invention also provides a sheet processing apparatus including the above-described components, an image forming unit that forms an image based on input image data, a saddle stitching mode that binds at least in the center of the sheet bundle, and a sheet bundle. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus including an input unit for a user to select a half-folding mode for folding in half at a central portion, and executing processing on a sheet bundle discharged from the image forming apparatus The first control means for controlling each part of the sheet processing apparatus and the first control means communicate with each other, transmit control information to the first control means, and And a second control unit that controls each unit, and the sheet processing apparatus stacks the discharged sheets when the saddle stitching mode and the middle folding mode are set from the image forming apparatus side. The stacking tray is lowered to a preset position below a position where a holding plate for pressing the stack of sheets stacked on the stacking tray on the alignment end side, and the stack of sheets is set by the reversing means set in the sheet processing apparatus. Is reversed and stacked on the stacking tray, and the sheet bundle is pressed on the binding side by the pressing plate and the stacking tray.
[0025]
  With each of these configurations,FoldedA paper processing apparatus capable of stacking more paper bundles can be provided. that time,Folding processCan be shared with normal paper output tray, without increasing sizeFolding processA stack of used paper can be loaded.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
1. overall structure
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus connected to a copying machine. The configuration and operation of each unit will be described with reference to this figure.
[0028]
The paper post-processing device 2 is connected to the paper discharge port of the copying machine 1. As a result, the copy paper discharged from the copying machine main body 1 is carried into the paper post-processing apparatus main body from the entrance guide plate 201 of the paper post-processing apparatus 2 and conveyed into the paper post-processing apparatus 2 by the conveying rollers 202 and 203. The A known rotary punch 501 is provided on the upstream side of the branching claws 211 and 221. If there is an instruction for punching operation from the copier 1 side, the rotary punch 501 is driven to a predetermined position (sheet rear end) of the sheet. Perforate.
[0029]
When the non-staple mode is selected in the operation unit 12 of the copying machine main body 1 (see FIG. 30 described later), the sheet passes through the branching claws 211 and 221 (normally, the branching claws 211 and 221 are transported in a non-staple manner). The paper is discharged and stacked on the lower stacking tray 301 or the upper stacking tray 321 by the paper discharge roller 211 (located in the direction of the path 220). At this time, the paper discharge guide plate 231 is in a closed state, and the paper discharge roller 232 is in contact with the paper discharge roller 211.
[0030]
The lower stacking tray 301 and the upper stacking tray 321 can be moved up and down by independent drive units (not shown), and can be moved to the sheet discharge position of the discharge roller 211, respectively. The lower stacking tray 301 and the upper stacking tray 321 move according to the selected discharge mode, and the stacking tray can be switched. The paper post-processing apparatus is provided with an interrupt tray 214. When the interrupt tray discharge mode is selected in the operation unit 12 of the copying machine 1, the branch claw 211 rotates and the paper is interrupted. The paper is transported to the tray transport path 210, discharged to the interrupt tray 214 by the paper discharge roller 213, and stacked. In addition, sensors S1 and S2 for detecting the paper surface of the upper stacking tray 321 or the lower stacking tray 301 are provided at the sheet discharge positions of the discharge roller 211 and the folding roller 451. The load amount can be known from the detection outputs of the paper surface sensors S1 and S2 and the respective positions of the lower stacking tray 301 and the upper stacking tray 321. The paper surface sensor S1 corresponds to a paper surface sensor 332 described later.
[0031]
In the combination in which the stapling mode is selected in the operation unit 12 of the copying machine body 1, the branching claw 221 operates to carry the paper into the staple conveyance path 240, and the staple conveyance path 240 is moved to the staple tray 402 side by the conveyance roller 241. Further, the sheet is discharged to the stable tray 402 by the staple tray discharge roller 242 and stacked on the staple tray 402. The paper discharged to the staple tray 402 is dropped downward on the staple tray 402 one by one by the hitting roller 250 and pressed against the paper trailing edge reference fence 410 to align the paper trailing edges. Further, the jogger fence 422 performs alignment in the sheet width direction (direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction) for each sheet. The staple tray 402 is used when executing functions such as sheet alignment, saddle stitching (stapling), and center folding, and functions as a sheet processing tray.
[0032]
When edge binding is further selected from the operation unit 12 at the time of mode selection, the paper discharge guide plate 231 is opened via the link 233 by the rotation of the cam 234 as shown in FIG. When the last sheet is selected, after the final sheet is aligned by the jogger fence 422, the end surface binding stapler 401 performs one or two binding processes at a predetermined position at the rear end of the sheet bundle. Then, the bundle of sheets subjected to the binding process is lifted up by a discharge claw 423 integrated with a discharge belt (not shown) until at least the leading end thereof reaches the position of the paper discharge roller 211. Thereafter, the paper discharge guide plate 231 is closed by the rotation of the cam 234, and the paper discharge roller 211 is pressed by the weight of the paper discharge guide plate 231. The paper is discharged and stacked on the stacking tray 301 or the upper stacking tray 321.
[0033]
1.1 Paper stacking tray
FIG. 2 is a view showing a lifting and lowering machine groove of the upper stacking tray 321, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing the operation thereof. The configuration and operation of the upper stacking tray 321 will be described with reference to these drawings. In addition, the figure (a) is the front view which partially cut, and the figure (b) is a top view which shows the principal part.
[0034]
In the figure, the upper stacking tray 321 is fixed to a receiving base 322, and the receiving base 322 is fixed to a belt (not shown) that transmits the raising / lowering drive. The cradle 322 is provided with a DC solenoid 325, a lever 326, a clutch 324, and a binion gear 323, and the end (rear end) fence 331 can move up and down integrally via the rack 333 and the pinion gear 323. It is like that.
[0035]
Normally, when the DC solenoid 325 is OFF, the clutch 324 is set so as to be rotatable only in the direction of arrow A in the figure. Therefore, the end fence 331 is lowered by its own weight in the downward direction by the rack 333 and the pinion gear 323. Can be moved up and down while maintaining the positional relationship with the upper stacking tray 321. When the upper stacking tray 321 is not at the paper discharge position, that is, when it is waiting above the paper discharge roller 211, or when it is lowered from the standby position to the paper discharge position, it changes from the discharge position to the standby position. When rising, the DC solenoid 325 is in an OFF state, and the upper stacking tray 321 and the end fence 331 move together. When the DC solenoid 325 is turned on, the lever 326 is pulled in the direction of arrow B, and the lock of the clutch 324 is released. As a result, the pinion gear 323 can rotate in both directions, and the end fence 331 is not obstructed in the downward direction, and is movable in the vertical direction.
[0036]
When the upper stacking tray 321 moves from the standby position (FIG. 1—solid line position) to the paper discharge position (FIG. 1-1 dotted line position), the DC solenoid 325 is in an OFF state, When the end fence 331 reaches a predetermined paper discharge position, it is stopped by a stopper (not shown). After the upper stacking tray 321 is further lowered by a predetermined distance (at this time, only the upper stacking tray 321 can be lowered due to the locking direction of the clutch 324 even if the end fence 331 is stopped by a stopper). At the same time as the DC solenoid 325 is turned on, the clutch 324 is released and only the upper stacking tray 321 is raised, and when the upper stacking tray 321 reaches the paper surface detection sensor 332 as shown in FIG. 325 is also turned OFF.
[0037]
When the sheets are sequentially discharged to the upper stack tray 321, a sheet discharge signal is received from the copying machine main body 1 (see FIG. 30), and at the same time, the upper stack tray 321 has a predetermined distance from the position of the sheet surface detection sensor 332. When the trailing edge of the discharged paper is detected by the paper surface detection sensor 332, it is lowered again by a predetermined distance. The upper stacking tray 321 repeatedly rises to the position of the paper surface detection sensor 332 and descends a predetermined distance for every predetermined number of discharged sheets, with the DC solenoid 325 being turned ON / OFF. By this operation, the distance between the paper discharge position by the paper discharge roller 211 and the paper stacking surface position is maintained (see FIG. 4).
[0038]
When the interrupt tray discharge mode is selected in the operation unit 12 of the copier body 1, the branching claw 211 rotates, the paper is transported to the interrupt tray transport path 210, and discharged to the interrupt tray 214 by the paper discharge roller 213. And loaded.
[0039]
When the stable mode is selected in the operation unit 12 of the copying machine main body 1, the branching claw 221 operates to carry the paper into the stable transport path 240, and the paper is further transferred to the stable tray 402 by the stable tray discharge roller 242. Discharged and loaded. The paper discharged to the stable tray 402 is dropped by the hitting roller 250 in the downward direction of the stable tray 402 for each sheet and pressed against the paper trailing edge reference fence 410 to align the paper trailing edge. Further, the sheet width direction is aligned for each sheet by the Jiyoga fence 422.
[0040]
When the stable mode is selected, the paper discharge guide plate 231 is opened through the link 233 by the rotation of the cam 234, and when the binding at the rear end of the paper is selected, the final paper is aligned by the jigyo fence 422. Thereafter, binding processing is performed at one or two positions at a predetermined position of the rear end of the sheet bundle by the end face binding stapler 401, and the bound sheet bundle is discharged integrally with a discharge belt (not shown). At least its tip is lifted up to the position of the paper discharge roller 211 by the pawl 423 (see FIG. 14), and after stopping, the paper discharge guide plate 231 is closed by the rotation of the cam 234, and the opening / closing guide plate 231. The paper discharge roller 211 is pressed by its own weight, and the lower stacking tray 301 or the upper product is loaded by the paper discharge roller 211. Which it is discharged to the tray 321 and stacked.
[0041]
1.2 Saddle stitching processing mechanism
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mechanism unit that performs saddle stitching processing.
[0042]
If the saddle stitching is further selected from the operation unit 12 when the mode is selected, after the final sheet is aligned by the jogger fence 422, the central portion of the sheet bundle is moved to the saddle stitching position by the discharge claw 423 as described above. It is lifted upward so as to be positioned, and is bound at two locations in the center by two saddle stitching staplers 403 provided at a predetermined interval (120 mm in this embodiment) in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction. Processing is performed. At the position facing the saddle stitch stapler 403, two clinchers 407 attached to a fixing member 408 that is rotatably attached have a saddle stitch stapler rotated by the eccentric cam 409 as shown in the operation explanatory diagram of FIG. It moves in the 403 direction and stops at a predetermined position, and the saddle stitching stapler 403 moves in the direction of the clincher 407 to pinch the sheet bundle and perform a binding process at a predetermined position of the sheet bundle. This operation is shown in more detail in FIG.
[0043]
That is, the sheet bundle that is saddle-stitched by the operation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is lifted upward by the discharge claw 423 as described above, and the position of the staple bound by the saddle-stitching stapler 403 is set to a predetermined position. Stop when it reaches. Next, the sheet discharge guide plate 231 in the open state indicated by the chain line in FIG. 14 is closed as indicated by the solid line, and the vicinity of the front end of the sheet bundle is sandwiched. Further, a drive motor (not shown) of the paper discharge roller 211 is locked and the paper discharge roller 211 is fixed to fix the leading end of the paper bundle, and the folding plate 466 is folded so that the needle position of the paper bundle is opposed as shown in FIG. After pressing in the direction of the rollers 451 and 452 and folding processing is performed at the center of the sheet by the folding rollers 451 and 452, the sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the lower stacking tray 301.
[0044]
When the leading end of the sheet bundle is fixed by the sheet discharge guide plate 231 in this way, the movement of the sheet bundle due to the deflection caused by the pressing of the folding plate 466 is only from a certain direction at the rear end of the unfixed sheet bundle. The folding position is stable. In addition, by locking the paper discharge roller 211, the paper bundle can be reliably fixed by the paper discharge guide plate 231.
[0045]
Note that, after the saddle stitching, the sheet bundle discharging operation when the center folding is not performed is the same as in the case of the edge binding described above, and the sheet is discharged via the discharge roller 211.
[0046]
1.3 Folding mechanism
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mechanism unit that performs a sheet folding process.
[0047]
In the drawing, a folding plate 466 is provided with a shaft portion 464 integrated with the folding plate 466 so as to be movable along the guide groove 465, and the rotational driving force of the folding plate drive motor 461 causes the intermediate gear 462 to move. Via the link 463, the folding plate 466 is reciprocated. Further, as can be seen from the perspective view showing the positional relationship between the folding plate 466 and the folding rollers 451 and 452 in FIG. 9, the front end portion of the folding plate 466 is provided with three convex portions 466a, 466b, and 466c, The two convex portions 466a and 466c on both sides are provided so as to be at the same position as the needle position of the saddle stitching stapler 403 (in this embodiment, at an interval of 120 mm). The central convex portion 466b is provided so as to be positioned at the central portion of the two needle positions of the saddle stitching stapler 403.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 8, the folding rollers 451 and 452 transmit the driving force of the folding roller driving motor 453 to the driving gear pulley 455 via the timing belt 454, and further transmit the driving force to the intermediate gear 456 and the driven gear 457. The folding rollers 451 and 452 are both driven to rotate. The drive gear pulley 455, the intermediate gear 456, and the driven gear 457 are connected by arms 458 and 459, and are configured to be movable while maintaining the distance between the axes. As a result, even when the sheet bundle is sandwiched between the folding rollers 451 and 452 and the rollers are separated from each other, the rotational driving force can be reliably transmitted to both the folding rollers 451 and 452. The folding rollers 451 and 452 are elastically biased toward each other by a tension spring (not shown) and are pressed against each other with a predetermined force at the nip portion.
[0049]
1.4 Folding operation
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing the operation when folding and discharging the sheet bundle by the folding plate 466.
[0050]
In these drawings, the convex portions 466a, 466b, 466c of the folding plate 466 press the needle position of the sheet bundle as shown in FIG. 12 to be described later, and advance from the nipping position of the folding rollers 451, 452 to a position where it overlaps further. Then, the folding process is performed on the central portion of the sheet bundle by the pressing and rotation of the folding rollers 451 and 452. Since the folding roller pair 451 and 452 cannot directly press the portion of the sheet bundle sandwiched between the convex portions 466a, 466b, and 466c of the folding plate 466 and the folding rollers 451 and 452, the folding state is poor due to the thickness of the folding plate 466. Become. Since the folding state of the needle position is worse than that without the needle depending on the thickness of the needle, the convex portions 466a and 466c of the folding plate 466 are made to coincide with the needle position of the sheet bundle as shown in FIGS. As a result, the position at which the folded state becomes worse coincides with the needle position, and a minimum folded state can be ensured.
[0051]
Further, the convex portions 466a, 466b, and 466c of the folding plate 466 press the sheet bundle, and the leading end portion of the sheet bundle is fixed at a position overlapping from the nipping position of the folding rollers 451 and 452, and the folding plate 466 is attached to the sheet bundle. After pressing the needle position in the direction of the opposing folding rollers 451 and 452 and performing folding processing on the center of the sheet by the folding rollers 451 and 452, the sheet bundle is discharged onto the stacking tray 301 and stacked. At this time, as described above, the folding position is stabilized by fixing the leading end of the sheet bundle with the discharge guide plate 231 as shown in FIG. In addition, by locking the paper discharge roller 211, the paper bundle can be reliably fixed by the paper discharge guide plate 231.
[0052]
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the convex portions 466a, 466b, 466c of the folding plate 466 press the sheet bundle and advance from the nipping position of the folding rollers 451, 452 to the overlapping position, and the folding rollers 451, 452 In the operation of folding the central portion of the sheet bundle by press contact and rotation, the convex portions 466a, 466b, and 466c of the advanced folding plate 466 need to retreat from the pressurization state of the folding rollers 451 and 452 and the sheet bundle. At this time, the portions where the folding plate 466 is sandwiched between the folding rollers 451 and 452 are only the convex portions 466a, 466b and 466c, and since the area is small, the frictional force of the folding rollers 451 and 452 is small and the folding plate 466 is retracted. Less load on the drive unit.
[0053]
In addition, when there are two convex portions of the folding plate 466, when the sheet bundle is pressed against the folding rollers 451 and 452, the center part of the sheet bundle is not completely pressed and is bent, and the folded state is set to the center part. Since wrinkles occur, three convex portions 466a, 466b, and 466c are provided. Further, the folding plate 466 pushes directly above the position of the staple bound by the saddle stitch stapler 403 (FIGS. 11 and 12), and the sheet discharge guide plate 231 catches the needle of the sheet bundle whose tip is fixed, thereby causing friction. The folding roller is pushed in the directions of 451 and 452 while receiving the resistance of (FIG. 13). As a result, a folding process in which the needle position and the folding position of the sheet bundle are surely matched can be performed.
[0054]
1.5 Discharging and stacking mechanism and operation of folded paper bundle
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the sheet bundle that is pushed in between the folding rollers 451 and 452 by the folding plate 466 at the center of the sheet bundle and is folded in the middle is directly discharged to the end fence 331 by the folding rollers 451 and 452. It is discharged from the paper mouth. The discharged sheet bundle is discharged first from the folding side F of the sheet bundle from the folding rollers 451 and 452 as can be seen from the explanatory view showing the reverse state of FIG. 18, but on the lower stacking tray 301 or the lower stacking tray. When stacked on a bundle of sheets stacked on 301, the folding side F is directed toward the end fence 331, that is, in a reversed state.
[0055]
In order to invert the sheet bundle in this way, in this embodiment, as can be seen from the front view of the main part showing the open / close end fence part (sheet discharge port) and the lower stacking tray 301 in FIG. An open / close end fence 311 is provided at the discharge port portion. That is, the sheet bundle that has been folded by the folding rollers 451 and 452 pushes the open / close end fence 311 and is discharged onto the lower stacking tray 301. The open / close end fence 311 is biased in the closing direction by an elastic member (not shown), and the open / close end fence 311 is provided with a sensor 313 for detecting the closed state. This sensor 313 detects when the saddle stitched sheet bundle stops abnormally in the middle of discharge. The opening / closing end fence 311 has a maximum opening / closing angle and is elastically biased in the closing direction as described above. Otherwise, the stack of sheets discharged from the folding rollers 451 and 452 is not reversed as shown in FIG. 17, and the lower stacking is performed with the folding side F of the stack of sheets positioned downstream in the sheet discharge direction. Stacked on the tray 301, the above-mentioned problem occurs. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the open / close end fence 311 is flush with the end fence 331 by the elastic biasing of the elastic member in the case of normal paper discharge, and the lower stacking tray 301 or the upper stacking tray 301 The tray 321 is configured not to obstruct the lifting operation along the end fence 331. Here, the open / close end fence 311 is set flush with the end fence 331, but may be retracted from the end fence 331.
[0056]
For the lower stacking tray 301, the saddle stitching processing mode and the middle folding mode are selected by the copying machine main body 1 and transfer is started. At the same time, the non-stable discharged paper near the paper discharge roller 211 and the end surface stable paper bundle It descends along the end fence 331 from the stacking position, and descends to a predetermined distance below the pressure plate 343 provided below the end fence 306 for suppressing the bulge on the binding side of the saddle stitching sheet bundle, and stops.
[0057]
Further, as shown in the front view showing the internal structure of FIG. 20 and the plan view of FIG. 21, the pressing means for pressing the sheet bundle includes a pressure plate 343, a pressure plate drive motor 345 for moving the pressure plate 343 in and out, A cam 346 driven by a pressure plate driving motor 345, a motor fixing plate 342 for fixing the pressure plate driving motor 345, and a spring that constantly elastically biases the motor fixing plate 342 around the fulcrum 342a in the counterclockwise direction shown in the drawing. 348 and a sensor 346 for detecting the position of the motor fixing plate 342.
[0058]
Immediately after the lower stacking tray 301 is stopped, the pressure plate driving motor 345 rotates the cam 346 and advances the pressure plate 343 along the guide shaft 344 provided on the motor fixing plate 342. The pressure plate 343 stops at a position protruding a predetermined amount from the reference plane of the end fence 331. Immediately after the stop, the lower stacking tray 301 starts to rise again and lifts the pressure plate 343 until the pressure plate sensor 347 detects a part of the motor fixing plate 342. The motor fixing plate 342 is provided integrally with a housing 341 so as to be rotatable, and the housing 341 is fixed to the end fence 331. The motor fixing plate 342 is connected to the housing 341 by a spring 348. As a result, the pressure plate 343 can press the upper surface of the lower stacking tray 301.
[0059]
The pressure plate 343 linearly moves in and out. The angle formed with the end fence 331 on the sheet bundle discharge side when the pressure plate sensor 374 detects is θf, and the lower stacking tray 301 of the lower stack tray 301 on the sheet bundle discharge side. When the angle between the loading surface and the end fence 331 is θt,
θf ≧ θt
The angle between the pressure plate 343 and the stacking surface of the lower stacking tray 301 is set so that In this way, care is taken so that the sheet bundle does not escape when pressed.
[0060]
In the examples shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the pressure plate 343 linearly moves in and out. However, when the pressure plate 343 protrudes in consideration of interference with the sheet bundle, the sheet stacking surface of the stacking tray is used. Can be operated so as to maintain an angle relationship of θf ≧ θt while maintaining a downward angle with respect to the sheet stacking surface of the stacking tray. At this time, when immersing into the end fence 331, the reverse operation is performed. Such an operation can be easily realized by using a cam in which the pressure plate 343 is set to a desired operation shape.
[0061]
In FIG. 21, one pressure plate 343 is shown. However, in order to hold down the sheet bundle, a plurality of central portions of the sheet bundle are provided symmetrically. In order to hold down by one piece, it is necessary to use a pressure plate 343 having a predetermined width symmetrically about the center of the sheet bundle. These are appropriately selected according to the design purpose.
[0062]
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing the stack operation and the operation of the pressure plate 343. In the same figure, the sheet bundle discharged from the folding rollers 451 and 452 is discharged before the folding side F as shown in FIG. 19 and is dropped vertically downward by the open / close end fence 311. It is reversed on the lower stacking tray 301 and the folding side F faces downward (toward the end fence 331) and is stacked on the pressure plate 343 (FIG. 24A). The state where the auxiliary tray 302 is used is illustrated). When the first copy is stacked, the lower stacking tray 301 is lowered, and at the same time, the pressure plate 343 is retracted, and the sheet bundle is placed on the lower stacking tray 301 (FIG. 24B). When the lower stacking tray 301 is lowered by a predetermined distance and stopped, the pressure plate 343 protrudes again on the sheet bundle, and further, the lower stacking tray 301 is lifted to place the sheet bundle between the pressure plate 343. To suppress the swelling (FIG. 24C). Next, the next sheet bundle is discharged and stacked on the pressure plate 343 in an inverted state (FIG. 24D). By repeating the above operation for sequentially ejected sheet bundles, it is possible to stack multiple sheet bundles. The lowering distance for each copy of the lower stacking tray 301 is set such that the distance increases as the number of sheets increases, depending on the number of sheets of the bundle of discharged sheets. By this control, it is possible to reliably suppress the bulging of the folded portion due to the increase in the number of sheets of the bundle of paper discharged, by the pressure plate 343. In this embodiment, after the sheet bundle is released from the nips of the folding rollers 451 and 452, the sheet bundle falls freely with its drop direction regulated by the open / close end fence 311, so that the lower stack tray 301 or the lower stack tray 301 The distance H between the uppermost sheet surface of the stacked sheet bundle and the nip portion of the folding rollers 451 and 452 or the separation part of the sheet bundle is set to be larger than the conveyance length of the folded sheet bundle. ing. This ensures free fall.
[0063]
In order to prevent unnecessary interference between the sheet bundle and the pressure plate 343 when the above operation is performed, and to further improve the alignment, the non-linear operation of the pressure plate 343 as described above is performed. In addition, it is preferable that the lower surface side of the pressure plate 343 has a smaller friction coefficient and the upper surface side has a larger friction coefficient. Thus, when the pressure plate 343 is protruded, the sheet bundle is returned to the end fence 331 side by aligning the sheet by pushing out the sheets without disturbing the stacking state of the stacked sheet bundle, and by increasing the coefficient of friction at the time of backward movement. Can increase the sex.
[0064]
For example, as shown in FIG. 35, for example, as shown in FIG. 35, a roller member 349 having a high friction coefficient surface that can rotate only in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing is provided at the front end portion of the pressure plate 343. Is prevented from escaping to the upper side of the lower stacking tray 301 in the figure, and when the pressure plate 343 protrudes, the upper surface of the sheet stack already stacked on the lower stacking tray 301 is rolled to push out the sheet. It is also possible not to disturb the stacked state of the stacked sheet bundle. In this embodiment, the roller member 349 is prohibited from rotating in the clockwise direction in the figure. However, the roller member 349 may be rotated when a predetermined amount of load is applied using a torque limiter or the like.
[0065]
Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the lower stacking tray 301 is provided with an auxiliary tray 302 that can be raised at a predetermined angle with a preset position as a fulcrum. The sheet stacking surface angle of the side stacking tray 301 can be changed. As shown in FIG. 23, the auxiliary tray 302 can be changed to an angle of θ2 with respect to the stacking surface angle θ1 of the lower stacking tray 301 measured from the horizontal state. In this embodiment,
θ1 = 30 °
θ2 = 55 °
It is set to. The stacking surface angle is changed from θ1 to θ2 by the auxiliary tray 302, and the stacking surface angle is steeped only when the bundle of sheets subjected to the saddle stitching process is discharged. The auxiliary tray 302 can be raised only when it is moved to the saddle stitching processing mode position. As a result, the sheet bundle subjected to the saddle stitching and folding process is reliably reversed and stacked on the lower stacking tray 301. The non-stable discharged paper and the end stapled paper are stacked at an optimum stacking angle. Can be set.
[0066]
1.6 Auxiliary tray mechanism and operation
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the positions and operating states of the lower stacking tray 301 and the auxiliary tray 302, FIG. 26 is a diagram showing details of the raising mechanism (rotating mechanism) of the auxiliary tray 302, and FIG. 27 is used for normal paper discharge. It is a figure which shows the state of the raising mechanism of the auxiliary tray in a case.
[0067]
As shown in FIG. 26, the auxiliary tray 302 is attached to the lower stacking tray 301 so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range with an end portion on the lower side in the inclined direction as a fulcrum 301a. The lower stacking tray 301 is provided with a presser bar 304 and an arm 303, and the arm 303 is pulled by a spring 305 in the direction of arrow C in the figure. When the lower stacking tray 301 is in a discharge mode position other than the saddle stitching discharge, the presser bar 304 is pushed by the end fence 331 and the arm 303 is rotated to move the auxiliary tray 302 to the stacking tray 301. It is made to correspond to the upper surface (FIG. 25). On the other hand, when the lower stacking tray 301 is lowered to a predetermined position in the saddle stitching mode, the presser bar 304 reaches the concave portion 307 of the end fence 331 and the press by the end fence 331 is released. The arm 303 is raised by the spring 305, and the auxiliary tray 302 is raised clockwise in the figure. A protrusion 308 is provided on the back side of the auxiliary tray 302, and the tip of the arm 303 is in contact with the lower end of the protrusion 308. Thus, the angle of the auxiliary tray 302, in other words, the angle of the stacking surface is steep. It is held in the state. Further, when a sheet other than the saddle stitched discharged paper, that is, a sheet in a normal discharge state is stacked and the lower stack tray 301 reaches the saddle stitched discharged paper stacking position, the auxiliary weight is caused by the weight of the stacked paper. The tray 302 is pressed, the push-up by the arm 303 is prevented, and the angle of the stacking surface is maintained. That is, the elastic force of the spring 305 is set so as to be like this. The position of the fulcrum 301a is from the end fence 331.
L = 40mm
A position that is some distance away is suitable, even considering the size of the folded paper
L = 40mm ± 10mm
It is preferable to set in the range.
[0068]
Further, when the lower stacking tray 301 is raised above the formation part of the concave shape 307 of the end fence 331, the arm 303 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the distal end portion of the arm 303 is disengaged from the protruding portion 308, and the lock is released. As a result, the auxiliary tray 302 returns to the original state on the lower stacking tray 301, and normal discharge becomes possible.
[0069]
1.7 Loading tray angle
As described above, the angle of the stacking tray is a problem in order to reliably reverse the sheet bundle. That is, the strength of the sheet bundle discharged from the folding rollers 451 and 452 and deflected downward by the open / close end fence 311 varies depending on the thickness of the sheet bundle. When the number of bound sheets is small, in other words, when the waist is weak, the paper can be dropped at an angle close to vertical by the elastic biasing force of the opening / closing end fence 311 in the closing direction. In this case, even when the angle of the lower stacking tray 301 is the same as that of the normal sheet discharge, when the leading end of the folding side F of the sheet bundle comes into contact with the lower stacking tray 301 or the sheet stack stacked thereon, Since the angle between the front end of the folding side F and the mounting surface of the lower stacking tray 301 becomes an obtuse angle on the end fence 331 side, slipping occurs on the lower side (end fence 331 side), and the reversing operation is performed smoothly. Is called.
[0070]
However, when the sheet bundle becomes thick, that is, when the sheet bundle becomes stiff, the elastic urging force of the open / close end fence 311 surely deflects the folding side of the sheet bundle to an angle close to vertical and falls. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to. In such a case, when the leading end of the folding side F of the sheet bundle comes into contact with the lower stacking tray 301 or the stack of sheets stacked thereon, the leading end of the folding side F and the lower stacking tray 301 In some cases, the angle between the mounting surface and the end fence 331 becomes an acute angle. When the end fence 331 side becomes an acute angle in this way, the sheet bundle cannot be reversed, and the sheet bundle is unintentionally reversed. It can no longer be loaded.
[0071]
Therefore, taking into account the discharge angle of the sheet bundle from the folding rollers 451 and 452, the angle of the auxiliary tray 302 is set up as described above so that it can be reliably stacked on the tray. Basically, when the leading end of the folding side F of the sheet bundle comes into contact with the lower stacking tray 301 or the auxiliary tray 302 or the uppermost sheet surface of the sheet bundle on these trays, If the tip slides toward the end fence 331, it can be loaded in a state of being reliably reversed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the rising angle θ2 of the auxiliary tray 302 is set so that the angle is equal to or larger than the angle at which the sheet bundle is reliably slid to the end fence 331 and reversed. Since this angle is set in relation to the slip as described above, the discharge angle of the folding rollers 451 and 452, the maximum opening of the open / close end fence 311, and the elastic biasing force to the open / close end fence 311 in the closing direction. Set by
[0072]
1.8 Pressure plate protrusion
The protruding amount S of the pressure plate 343 is preferably adjusted as appropriate depending on the swelling of the sheet bundle, the stacking thickness, the position of the fulcrum 301a of the auxiliary tray 302, and the like. Otherwise, the pressure plate 343 will not reliably press the sheet bundle. That is, returning to FIG. 23, in this state, when the pressure plate 343 protrudes to a position vertically above the fulcrum 301a, that is, when L is 40 mm as described above, the protrusion amount S is 40 mm. Depending on the thickness of the stacked sheet bundle, the tip of the pressure plate 343 comes into contact with the surface of the sheet bundle whose inclination is increased on the auxiliary tray 302. When the lower stacking tray 301 is raised in this state, since the tip of the pressure plate 343 is already in contact with the surface of the sheet bundle, the pressure plate sensor 347 immediately detects a part of the motor fixing plate 342, and The side stacking tray 301 stops. At this time, the swollen portion of the sheet bundle is not yet in contact with the lower surface of the pressure plate 343, or is not sufficiently pressurized even if it is in contact.
[0073]
In order to prevent this, it is necessary to reduce the protruding amount S of the pressure plate 343 until the sheet bundle can be sufficiently pressurized between the pressure plate 343 and the lower stacking tray 301. This protrusion amount S is the distance L to the maximum fulcrum 301a. In this case, this distance is allowed when the first copy has a small number of sheets to be bound, but the second and subsequent copies have a thick sheet bundle. Since the rising position of the sheet bundle also approaches the end fence 331 side, the protrusion amount S is reduced accordingly. This protrusion advancement amount S can be easily performed by driving the pressure plate 343 by using, for example, a stepping motor and controlling the number of step pulses to be applied. The same kind of control can also be performed by causing the support means for supporting the entire mechanism shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 to appear and disappear according to the protrusion amount S.
[0074]
Therefore, the protruding amount S of the pressure plate 343 is set so as to decrease corresponding to the increase in the number of sheets stacked on the stacking tray, and is set according to the number of sheets to be bound. As the set amount, a protrusion amount S corresponding to the number of sheets to be bound and the number of stacked sheets is experimentally obtained in advance and stored as a table in a memory of the control unit 20 or the protrusion amount setting unit 34 of the sheet processing apparatus 2 described later. The protrusion amount S corresponding to the number of sheets is read and performed.
[0075]
1.9 Other reversing mechanisms
In the embodiment, the reversal of the sheet bundle is performed mainly by deflecting the sheet discharge direction of the sheet bundle by the open / close end fence 311. In addition to reversing the stack of paper
(1) The circumferential speed of the pair of folding rollers 451 and 452 for discharging the sheet bundle is changed so that the discharge direction of the sheet bundle is directed downward.
[0076]
(2) The sheet bundle is pushed out with the leading end of the sheet bundle being in contact with the stacking tray, and is bent and inverted.
[0077]
(3) The sheet bundle is pushed out with the leading end of the sheet bundle in contact with the stacking tray, and in this state or in a curved state, the trailing end is pushed by the pushing member from the end fence side and reversed.
[0078]
There are other methods.
[0079]
First, in the example (1), in this example, as shown in FIG. 28, the peripheral speed of the folding rollers 451 and 452 that also function as the paper discharge rollers is set to the peripheral speed of the folding roller 452 positioned on the upper side in the figure. If the peripheral speed of the folding roller 451 located on the lower side is S2,
S1> S2
Set to be. With this configuration, the paper can be reliably discharged with the folding side F facing downward without providing the open / close end fence 311. The other parts including the lower stacking tray 301 and the auxiliary tray 302 are configured in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.
[0080]
An example of (2) is shown in FIG. This embodiment is an example in which a sheet bundle is forcibly bent and inverted. In this embodiment, the lower stacking tray 301 is raised, and the height h between the nip positions of the folding rollers 451 and 452 and the lowest position of the lower stacking tray 301 is smaller than the conveyance length of the folded sheet bundle. Thus, the leading end of the folding side F of the sheet bundle is forcibly guided by the open / close end fence 311 to the lowermost part of the lower stacking tray 301 or the lowermost part of the uppermost sheet of the stacked sheet bundle. In this state, the folding rollers 451 and 452 are further driven. By doing so, the sheet bundle is curved as shown in FIG. 29, and is reversed and stacked on the stacking tray when it is discharged from the folding rollers 451 and 452. At that time, in order to make the reversal more reliable, the pushing member 455 and the driving device 456 for moving the pushing member 455 in and out are provided as in the above (3), and the pushing member 455 is moved when the sheet bundle is detached from the nip. It is preferable that the non-binding side of the sheet bundle is pushed toward the lower stacking tray 301 side. In this case, since the position of the leading end of the sheet bundle, that is, the leading end of the folding side F is restricted, it is reversed if the non-binding side is pressed beyond that position, but the non-binding side is pressed further than the center. Can perform more reliable reversal operation.
[0081]
2. Control configuration
2.1 Overall configuration
FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet processing system including a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[0082]
As can be understood from the above description, this system includes a sheet post-processing apparatus 2 and a copying machine (sheet output apparatus) 1 to which the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 is connected. Each of the devices 1 and 2 is provided with control units 10 and 20 each having a CPU and a ROM and a RAM associated therewith. 21 and the control content of the middle folding part 22 are determined. In other words, the sheet post-processing device 2 has a configuration in which the control unit 20 controls the saddle stitching unit 21 and the middle folding unit 22, and the folding unit 22 and folding plate unit 24 are further controlled as the middle folding unit 22. As described above, the folding roller unit 23 controls the folding motor 453, and the folding plate unit 24 controls the driving of the folding plate drive motor 461. Further, the driving unit of the punch unit 31, the end binding unit 32, and the paper discharge guide unit 33 is also controlled by the control unit 20. On the other hand, on the copier 1 side, the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, and the paper output control unit 13 are controlled by the control unit 10.
[0083]
In such a control configuration, the information input to the operation unit 12 of the copying machine 1 includes the presence / absence information of the saddle stitching process and the presence / absence information of the middle folding process as shown in FIG. By touching a desired display portion of the unit 12, the selection is made as described later, and it is transmitted to the paper post-processing side. Based on these input information, information such as paper size and processing mode is transmitted from the control unit 10 of the copying machine 1 to the control unit 10 of the paper post-processing apparatus 1, and the control unit 20 of the paper post-processing apparatus 2 includes these information. Based on this, the saddle stitching portion 21 and the middle folding portion 22 are controlled.
[0084]
2.2 Discharging the sheet bundle after folding
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the control procedure for discharging the sheet bundle after the sheet is folded in half by the center folding device. This processing is executed by a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 20 of the sheet post-processing apparatus 2 according to a program stored in a ROM (not shown). The control unit 20 is provided with a RAM. This RAM functions as a work area when the CPU executes the program.
[0085]
In this process, when the sheet bundle discharge process is started (step 1-1), a discharge abnormality detection timer is started (step 1-2), the open / close sensor 313 of the open / close end fence 311 is checked, and the fence is detected. Is checked (step 1-3). -Even if the fixed time has elapsed (step 1-7), if the fence opening cannot be detected, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the discharge, and the discharge abnormality process is performed (step 1-9). When the opening of the fence is detected in step 1-3, the abnormality detection timer is started again (step 1-4), and the open / close sensor 313 of the open / close end fence 311 is checked to determine whether the fence is closed (step). 1-5). If the fence closure is not detected even after a certain time has elapsed (step 1-8), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the discharge, and an abnormal discharge process is performed (step 1-9). If it is detected in step 1-5 that the fence is closed, it is determined that the discharge of the sheet bundle has been completed normally, and the process proceeds to the next process.
[0086]
2.3 Control of the lower stacking tray at the start of saddle stitching
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for movement control of the lower stacking tray 301 to the standby position when the saddle stitching process is started.
[0087]
In this process, when the process is started (step 2-1), first, the lower stacking tray 301 starts to descend (step 2-2) and descends to the position of the pressure plate 343 (step 2-3). . At this time, the position of the pressure plate 343 is detected by a sensor (not shown). When the pressure plate is lowered to the position of the pressure plate 343, detection of the lowering distance is started (step 2-4). An encoder is attached to a lifting drive motor (not shown) of the lower stacking tray 301 so that the moving distance can be easily detected. Therefore, when it is detected that the encoder has lowered by a predetermined amount (step 2-5), the lowering of the tray is stopped (step 2-6, FIG. 24B). It is sufficient that the predetermined lowering amount is lowered to a position where the operation of the pressure plate 343 is not hindered, and is set to about 20 mm in this embodiment.
[0088]
Immediately after the lowering of the lower stacking tray 301 is stopped, the pressure plate 343 is advanced (step 2-7), and when it is advanced to a predetermined position (step 2-8), the pressure plate 343 is stopped (step 2-9). The pressure plate drive motor 345 uses a stepping motor, and can be easily advanced to a predetermined position by being controlled with a predetermined pulse. As soon as the pressure plate 343 is stopped, the lower stacking tray 301 starts to rise (step 2-10), the state of the pressure plate sensor 347 is checked (step 2-11), and the pressure plate sensor 347 is in the detection state. That is, when the pressure plate sensor 347 detects the motor fixing plate 342, the lower stacking tray 301 is stopped from rising (step 2-12 (FIG. 24C)), and the saddle stitching processing standby state is entered.
[0089]
2.4 Control of lower stacking tray when saddle stitching is ejected
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the lower stacking tray 301 at the time of saddle stitch discharge.
[0090]
When the discharge process is started (step 3-1), the pressure plate 343 moves back to the home position (step 3-2), the lower stacking tray 301 starts to descend (step 3-3), and a certain amount. It continues to descend until it descends (step 3-4) and stops (step 3-5... FIG. 24B). An encoder is attached to the tray lower drive motor so that the moving distance can be easily detected, and the amount of lowering is changed depending on the number of sheets to be bound, and the fold is controlled to be surely pressed. In this embodiment, the descending amount is set to about 20 mm when the number of binding sheets is 5 sheets, about 30 mm when the number of sheets is 6 to 10, and 50 mm when 11 sheets or more. The discharge of the sheet bundle is monitored (step 3-6), and when a certain time has elapsed after the discharge, the pressure plate 343 is advanced (step 3-7). Here, the fixed time is a time during which the sheet bundle stably drops on the tray after being discharged. In this embodiment, about 2 seconds have elapsed after the opening / closing sensor 313 confirms the discharging. When the pressure plate 343 moves forward to a predetermined position (step 3-8), the pressure plate 343 is stopped (step 3-9). The pressure plate drive motor 343 includes a stepping motor as described above, and can be advanced to a predetermined position by applying a predetermined pulse. When the pressure plate 343 is stopped, the lower stacking tray 301 starts to rise immediately (step 3-10), the output of the pressure plate sensor 347 is checked (step 3-11), and the pressure plate sensor 347 is moved to the motor fixing plate. If 342 is detected, the raising of the lower stacking tray 301 is stopped (step 3-12... FIG. 24C), and the next processing standby state is entered.
[0091]
Less thanAs above, the book configured as described aboveEmbodimentProvides the following effects.
[0092]
productIt has an aligning means for aligning the sheet bundle on the upstream side in the paper discharge direction of the loading tray and a pressing means for pressing the sheet bundle loaded on the stacking tray on the aligning end side. This makes it possible to achieve an increase in loading capacity.
[0093]
Further, a stack of sheets can be stacked without providing a special stacking tray, and can be shared with a normal sheet discharge tray that is not folded in two. Further, since it is shared with a normal paper discharge tray, it does not increase in size.
[0096]
2The folded sheet bundle is discharged with the folding side as the leading end, and is provided with reversing means for reversing the sheet bundle so that the folding side is positioned on the aligning means side, so that it can be reliably aligned on the folding side. .
[0097]
AdjustmentThe combining means is composed of a stacking tray that is inclined so that the downstream side in the transport direction is higher than the upstream side and supported so as to be movable up and down, and a rear end fence on which the edge of the paper discharged onto the stacking tray comes into contact, Since the pressing means comprises a pressing member that contacts the upper surface of the paper and a driving means that causes the pressing member to protrude and retract from the surface of the trailing edge fence where the edge of the paper contacts, the sheet bundle is in contact with the trailing edge fence. The pressing operation becomes possible, and the sheet bundle is not disturbed when pressed.
[0098]
PushEven the intrusion operation of the member is performed linearly, so that the drive mechanism can be configured with a simple mechanism.
[0099]
PushEven the projection member is set to protrude at an upward angle with respect to the paper stacking surface of the stacking tray during the protruding operation, and is set to hold a downward angle with respect to the paper stacking surface of the stacking tray when it protrudes to the maximum. There is no interference with the stack of sheets already stacked during the protruding operation, and a reliable pressing operation is possible during the pressing operation.
[0100]
productElevating means for raising and lowering the loading tray is provided, and the raising and lowering means raises the stacking tray in a state where the pressing member protrudes on the sheet bundle positioned on the stacking tray, and presses the sheet bundle between the pressing member and the stacking tray. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide pressing means, and it is possible to press the sheet by using the lifting mechanism that is originally provided in the stacking tray.
[0101]
forA detecting means for detecting a pressing force for pressing the paper bundle is provided, and when the lifting means detects that the pressing force has become a predetermined value or more by the detecting means, the lifting operation is stopped, so the paper bundle is always kept at a constant pressing force. Can be suppressed.
[0102]
forWhen the angle formed between the holding member and the rear end fence on the paper bundle discharge side is θf, and the angle formed between the stacking tray and the rear end fence on the paper bundle discharge side is θt, the lifting operation of the stacking tray by the elevating means is performed. Since the angle between the protruding direction of the pressing member and the stacking surface of the stacking tray is set so that θf ≧ θt when the sheet stops, the pressing member reliably presses the sheet bundle without escaping due to the swelling near the binding position. be able to.
[0103]
InspectionThe knowledge means comprises an urging means for urging the member supporting the pressing member in a direction opposite to the raising operation of the elevating means, and a position detecting means for detecting the position of the supporting member, and the position detecting means Since it is detected from the position of the supporting member detected by the above whether or not the pressing force has become a predetermined value or more, it can be directly and reliably detected that the pressing force has reached the predetermined value.
[0104]
PushSince the sheet discharge means discharges the sheet bundle with the even member protruding, the sheet bundle can be positioned in an inverted state on the upper surface of the pressing member.
[0105]
ExcretionAfter the paper means discharges the paper bundle and the paper bundle is placed on the upper surface of the pressing member, the pressing member is immersed inside the rear end fence, so that the paper member is placed on the lower side of the pressing member. A new sheet bundle is stacked after alignment at the trailing edge fence.
[0106]
PushEven after the member has entered the inside of the rear end fence, the stacking tray is lowered by a predetermined amount, so that the pressing member does not disturb the already stacked sheet bundle.
[0107]
underSince the amount of fall is variably set according to the number of sheets bound, the operation is not wasted and efficient processing can be performed.
[0108]
AntiThe turning means comprises angle changing means for changing the stacking tray angle so that the stacking tray angle becomes steeper compared to the case of normal paper discharge without folding in half, so the reversing operation can be performed only by changing the stacking tray angle. It is possible to perform reliably, and the binding side can be directed to the rear end fence side.
[0109]
CornerSince the degree changing means includes an auxiliary tray that rises from the stacking tray with a preset position of the stacking tray as a fulcrum, the reversing means can be configured with a simple mechanism without causing an increase in size.
[0111]
PushThe amount of protrusion when the even member protrudes from the fulcrum of the auxiliary tray that rises from the stacking tray with the preset position of the stacking tray as a fulcrum to reverse the sheet bundle. Since the distance is set to be approximately the same as the distance to the lower end position and correlates with the position where the sheet bundle bends due to the angle change, the pressing member may interfere with the bent (angled) sheet bundle portion. And can be held down reliably.
[0112]
PushSince the protrusion amount of the even member is set so as to decrease corresponding to the increase in the number of sheets stacked on the stacking tray, the sheet bundle portion where the pressing member is bent (angled) It can be pressed down without interference.
[0113]
PushSince the amount of protrusion when the member protrudes is variably set according to the number of sheets to be bound, the position of the bulge changes depending on the bound thickness, and the change can be accommodated, and the sheet bundle is released. It is possible to hold it down reliably.
[0116]
PushThe even member has a higher coefficient of friction on the upper surface than the lower surface, so that it does not disturb the stacking condition of the stack of paper below the pressing member stacked when protruding, and when entering the rear end fence, The sheet bundle on the upper surface side can be brought into contact with the rear end fence to enhance the alignment.
[0117]
PushEven at the leading end of the member, a roller that is rotatable at least when the pressing member protrudes is provided, so that the stacking state of the sheet bundle below the pressing member stacked at the time of protrusion is not disturbed.
[0118]
forA first control unit that controls each unit of the paper processing apparatus and a first control unit that communicate with each other, transmit control information to the first control unit, and control each unit of the image forming apparatus. And a second control unit, and when the saddle stitching mode and the middle folding mode are set from the image forming apparatus side, the sheet processing apparatus sets a stacking tray on which the discharged sheets are stacked. The stack of sheets is lowered to a preset position below the position of the holding plate that holds the stack of sheets on the alignment end side, and the stack of sheets is reversed by the reversing means set in the sheet processing apparatus. Since the paper stack is loaded on the tray and the sheet bundle is pressed on the binding side by the pressing plate and the stacking tray,It is possible to stack a larger number of folded sheet bundles, and the sheet bundle can be shared with a normal sheet stacking tray that is not folded.
[0119]
[The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to stack a larger number of folded sheet bundles, and it can be shared with a normal sheet stacking tray that does not perform folding processing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet post-processing apparatus according to an embodiment connected to a copying machine for explaining the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a lifting and lowering machine groove of an upper stacking tray of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a lifting / lowering machine groove of an upper stacking tray in FIG. 2;
4 is a view showing the operation of the lifting and lowering machine groove of the upper stacking tray in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mechanism unit that performs saddle stitching processing of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the embodiment;
6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the saddle stitch mechanism in FIG. 5; FIG.
7 is a diagram showing the operation of the mechanism unit of FIG. 5 in more detail.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a mechanism unit that performs sheet folding processing of the sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment;
9 is a perspective view showing a positional relationship between a folding plate and a folding roller in FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory view showing an operation when a sheet bundle is folded and ejected by a folding plate.
FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory view showing a folding position and a folding operation related to the staples when folding a bundle of sheets by a folding plate.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a folding position when a sheet bundle is folded by a folding plate.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a folding plate is folded together with a sheet bundle so as to protrude from the nip of a folding roller.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state when the paper discharge guide plate is closed and the vicinity of the front end of the sheet bundle is sandwiched to start a folding operation.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the leading end of the sheet bundle is fixed and the folding plate presses the needle position of the sheet bundle in the direction of the opposing folding roller to perform folding processing on the center of the sheet.
FIG. 16 is a main part front view showing an open / close end fence part and a lower stacking tray.
FIG. 17 is a main part front view showing a state in which the front end of the folding side of the sheet bundle is discharged toward the downstream side in the discharge direction and stacked.
FIG. 18 is a front view of main parts showing a state during normal paper discharge.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state where a sheet bundle falls while being reversed.
FIG. 20 is a main part front view showing a structure of a pressure plate.
FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a structure of a pressure plate.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing the stack operation and the operation of the pressure plate.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an angular relationship between a lower stacking tray and an auxiliary tray.
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an inverted stacking state of a sheet bundle and an operating state of a pressure plate when an auxiliary tray is used.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating positions and operating states of a lower stacking tray and an auxiliary tray.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing details of an auxiliary tray raising mechanism (rotating mechanism).
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a state of an auxiliary tray raising mechanism when used for normal paper discharge.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which the sheet bundle is reversed by changing the peripheral speed of the folding roller.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a front end of a sheet bundle is brought into contact with a lower stacking tray and the sheet bundle is bent and inverted.
FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a sheet processing system including a sheet post-processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a display state of an operation unit through which a user inputs saddle stitching and center folding processing;
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for discharging a bundle of sheets after the sheet is folded in half by the half-folding device.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for movement control of the lower stacking tray to the standby position when the saddle stitching process is started.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the lower stacking tray when saddle stitching is discharged.
FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism of a pressure plate.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state when a folded sheet bundle according to a conventional example is stacked.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Paper output device (copier)
2 Paper post-processing equipment
10 Control unit
11 Display
12 Operation unit
13 Paper output controller
20 Control unit
21 Saddle stitching
22 Folding part
23 Folding roller
24 Folding plate
34 Projection amount setting section
301 Lower loading tray
311 Open / close end fence
321 Upper stacking tray
331 End (rear end) fence
332 Paper surface sensor (S2)
343 Pressure plate
451 Folding roller
452 Folding roller
455 Extruded member
456 Drive device
466 Folding plate

Claims (20)

In a paper processing apparatus comprising a folding means and a stacking tray for stacking discharged paper or a bundle of paper,
The stacking tray includes a stacking tray that is inclined so that the downstream side in the transport direction is higher than the upstream side and is supported so as to be movable up and down, and a rear end fence on which the edge of the paper discharged onto the stacking tray abuts. Alignment means for aligning the sheet bundle on the upstream side of the tray in the paper discharge direction;
A pressing member that contacts the upper surface of the sheet, and a drive unit that causes the pressing member to protrude and retract from a surface of the trailing edge fence where the edge of the sheet abuts, and presses the sheet bundle loaded on the stacking tray on the alignment end side. Holding means;
Control means for causing the pressing member to stand by at a standby position inside the rear end fence when the folding process is not performed, and for causing the pressing member to protrude outside the rear end fence by the driving means when performing the folding process;
A sheet processing apparatus comprising: 2. The sheet folding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reversing unit for reversing the sheet bundle so that the folded sheet bundle is discharged with the folding side as a leading end and the folding side is positioned on the aligning unit side . Paper processing device. The pressing member infested operation sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 Symbol mounting characterized by being linearly performed. The pressing member protrudes at an upward angle with respect to the paper stacking surface of the stacking tray during the protruding operation, and is set to hold a downward angle with respect to the paper stacking surface of the stacking tray when it protrudes to the maximum. claim 1 Symbol wherein the are placing the sheet processing apparatus. Elevating means for elevating and lowering the stacking tray is provided, the elevating means raises the stacking tray in a state where the pressing member protrudes on a sheet bundle positioned on the stacking tray, and the pressing member and the stacking tray sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the pressing the sheet bundle between. A detecting means for detecting a pressing force for pressing the sheet bundle is provided, and the elevating means stops the raising operation when the detecting means detects that the pressing force is a predetermined value or more. Item 6. The paper processing apparatus according to Item 5 . When the angle formed between the pressing member and the rear end fence on the paper discharge side is θf, and the angle formed between the stacking tray and the rear end fence on the paper discharge side is θt, When the lifting operation of the loading tray stops,
θf ≧ θt
The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein an angle formed by a direction in which the pressing member protrudes and a stacking surface of the stacking tray is set so that The detection means includes an urging means for urging a member supporting the pressing member in a direction opposite to the ascending operation of the elevating means, and a position detecting means for detecting the position of the supporting member. 7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein whether or not the pressing force is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is detected from the position of the supporting member detected by the detecting unit. Sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4 and 5 wherein the pressing member is the sheet discharge unit in the state which protrudes, characterized in that the discharge the sheet bundle. It said sheet discharge means discharges the sheet bundle, the pressing after being stacked on the upper surface of the member, according to claim 9, wherein said pressing member by said drive means, characterized in that retracts inside the rear end fence Paper processing device. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein after the pressing member is immersed inside the rear end fence, the elevating unit lowers the stacking tray by a predetermined amount . 12. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined amount is variably set in accordance with the number of sheets bound in the sheet bundle . When the reversing means discharges the sheet bundle, and the leading end of the folding side of the sheet bundle comes into contact with the uppermost sheet surface of the stacking tray or the stack of sheets on the stacking tray, the leading end of the folding side An angle changing means for changing the angle of the stacking tray so as to become a steep angle as compared with the case of normal paper discharge that does not fold in two more than the angle at which the sheet bundle is reversed by sliding to the alignment means side. Item 3. A sheet processing apparatus according to Item 2 . 14. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the angle changing means includes an auxiliary tray that rises from the stacking tray with a preset position of the stacking tray as a fulcrum . The amount of protrusion when the pressing member protrudes is a sheet bundle placement surface of the stacking tray from the fulcrum of the auxiliary tray that rises from the stacking tray with a preset position of the stacking tray as a fulcrum to reverse the sheet bundle 5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet processing apparatus is set to a distance substantially equal to a distance to a lowermost position of the sheet. Claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein the pressing member is protruded amount when projecting, characterized in that it is set to be less in response to an increase in the number of stacked sheets of the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of the above. The pressing protrusion amount when member is protruding, the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that it is variably set according to the number of stapled sheets. The sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3 , 4 , 5, and 9 , wherein the pressing member has a friction coefficient on an upper surface set higher than that on a lower surface . The pressing the tip of the member, the pressing claims 1 during the projecting member, characterized in that it comprises a rotatable roller, the sheet processing apparatus according to any one of 3, 4, 5 and 9. A sheet processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Image forming means for forming an image based on the input image data;
An image forming apparatus including an input unit for a user to select at least a folding mode for folding a sheet bundle;
An image forming system for executing a predetermined process on a sheet bundle discharged from the image forming apparatus,
First control means for controlling each part of the sheet processing apparatus;
Communicate with the first control means and send control information to the first control means
And second control means for controlling each part of the image forming apparatus;
And when the folding mode is set from the image forming apparatus side, the sheet processing apparatus sets a stacking tray for stacking discharged sheets to a stack of sheets stacked on the stacking tray on the alignment end side. The sheet is lowered to a preset position below the position of the pressing plate to be pressed, and the sheet bundle is reversed by the reversing means set in the sheet processing apparatus and stacked on the stacking tray. An image forming system characterized in that a sheet bundle is pressed on the binding side by a tray .

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